Door structure for automobile bodies



Dec. 25, 1928. 1,696,310

J. LEDWINKA DOOR STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES Filed Sept. 20, 1924 ,9 JA'VENTOR.

JOSEPH LEDN/NKA.

A TTORNE Y.

-ble.

doors for closed car bodies, which doors are Patented Dec. 25. 1928.

uNlrEo STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.iosnrn Lnnw'mxa, or rnmmanrnm, PENNSYLVANIA, assrenon 'ro EDWARD e.

ZBUDD umuracrrunme com an or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, .6. con- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DOOB STRUCTURE I'OB AUTOMOBILE BODIES.

Application filed September 20, 1924. Serial No. 738,784.

structures is simple, light,durable, economical to manufacture and efiicient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a door structure having a lock supporting plate forming a part ofthe door, and serving not only as a lock support, but also as a reinforcing and bracing member for the door structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plate member for a door structure or a closed car to serve the double purpose of a support vfor the window pane raising and lowering mechanism and also of reinforcement and brace for the door structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a door structure which is light in weight, though strong and rigid, and in which the parts may be produced and assembled economically and with rapidity and accuracy.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the inner side or face of a door showing a structure embodying the principles of my invention.

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and .5 are broken views in section on the lines 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, and 5, 5, respectively of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the construction of doors of automobiles, it is important to secure a strong, rigid, durable structure which, however, is light, economical to manufacture, and easy to assem- This is particularly true in the case of necessarily of considerable length. The

. weightof such doors is suspended on their hinge connection to the door post portions of the body structure. This imposes additional strains and stresses upon the body and, therefore, the lighter the weight of such doors, the less will be such strains and stresses, and the more economical will be the construction and assembly of the door itself. Itis among the special purposes of m present invention to provlde an exceedingy simple door structure, and, in carrying out my invention I propose to employ thin gauge metal sheets in constructing the door frame thereby securmg economy and reduction of weight in the door structure. This also enables the door. to be readily and easily constructed in the various parts thereof, and the parts assembled rapidly. I also propose to employ a brace plate to connect the side members of the door frame and which plate serves the double purpose of a reinforcing brace for the door to secure strength and rigidity thereof, and also as a support for the door lock and for the mechanism for raising and lowering the window pane as in the case of a door for a closed car body, in which case the upper part of the door structure is left 0 en to receive the window panewhen raise and the lower part is formed with a pocket into which the window pane may be lowered when not re uired for use.

enerally speaking, I accomplish the objects and purposes of my invention by employinga suitable sheet metal stamping or pressing in the form of a plate having strengthening channels pressed therein to sccure rigidity, and which channels are employed to receive the latch-operating handle, the supporting plate for the window raising mechanism, or to form a seating for the latch plate or for other purposes, and at the same time to transversely connect, and form a brace for,-the vertical side members of the door frame.

In the accompanying drawing, and for illustrative purposes, I have shown my invention as applied to a door for a closed body wherein a space or opening is formed at the upper portion of the door to receive a sliding window or pane, and the lowerportion of the door is formed into a pocket into which the window is lowered when not required for use, or from which the window may be raised to close the space in the "upper portion of the door when required, or desired. My invention, however,'in its broadest scope. as defined in the claims, is not to be limited or restricted with respect to the type of door, nor with respect to the mechanism or devices to be mounted upon the door bracing plate or stamping.

Referring to the drawing:

Reference numerals 6, 7, designate two vertically disposed side members constituting or forming parts of a door frame. The outer vertical edges of the door frame members, 6, 7, are formed in to laterally extending flanges, 8, 9, respectively, over which are flanged the vertical edges, 10, 11, of the outer door panel, 12. The door frame member or stamping, 6, at the free edge of the door is in the form of a stamping which is pressed into shape to form a shoulder, 13, to constitute a stop to be received against the door post when the door is closed. The inner edge of the door frame member, 6, is formed into a channel portion, 14, the edge, 15, of which is bent laterally thereby forming a vertically disposed abutment or shoulder, 16. In like manner, the vertical frame member or stamping, 7, at the opposite side of the door is formed into a channel rtion, 17, the'inner vertical edge, 18, of which projects laterally in a direction transversely of the door, as in the case of flange, 15, of door frame member, 6, to lie substantially in the same vertical plane with the flange, 15, thereby likewise forming a vertically disposed abutting shoulder or depression, 19, corresponding to and presenting towards the shoulder, 16, of the frame member, 6. Laterally extending flanges, 20, 21, of a stamping, or pressing, 22, are respectively seated against the shoulders, 16, 19, of the side frame members, 6, 7, the body of the stamping, 22, extending transversely across the door structure. This stamping or pressing, 22, constitutes a light but efficient cross brace member between the vertical side portions, 6, 7, of the door frame, and by reason of the bracing and reinforcing functions of said pressing, 22, the door frame members, 6, 7, may be pressed up out of thin gauge metal and still be sufiiciently strong and rigid when assembled into the door structure. In order that the stamping or pressing, 22, may efiiciently perform its function of a brace and impart sufiicient' strength and rigidity to the structure, certain seats or depressions, indicated at 23, 24, are pressed into said plate, 22.

In accordance with my invention, I pro pose to utilize this transverse reinforcing or bracing plate, 22, as a support for the lock mechanism. indicated generally at 25, and for the window pane raising and lowering mechanism, indicated generally at 26, or for other purposes as may be desired. And I also propose to utilize the seats or channels, 23, 24, for various purposes, as, for example, I propose to use the seat or depression, 23, to accommodate the handle or lever (not shown), which operates the latch mechanism, and I propose to utilize the seat or depression,

24, to receive theplat/e, 27, which supports or carries part of the window pane raising and lowerin mechanism.

In order t at the latch bolt mechanism may be conveniently inserted into the space between the outer door panel, 12, and the transverse bracing member, or plate, 22, the latter is formed with an opening, 28, near one edge thereof over which the latch mechanism carrying plate, 29, is applied and secured in place with the latch mechanism, 25, projecting through the opening, 28, (see Fig. 5). In like manner, I form an opening, 30, in the panel, 22, over which is positioned and se cured the plate. 27. The opening, 30, is formed in the depression, 24, of plate, 22, said depression forming a seat for the plate, 27, which latter carries the window pane raising and lowering mechanism. The vertical] y disposed channel seat, 23, which accommodates the lever or handle for operating the latch bolt opens at its lower edge into the opening, 28, so that the lover of the latch mechanism may be conveniently received for operation therein.

In the particular type of door shown to illustrate the principles of my invention the upper part of the door structure is open. as indicated at 31, to receive a vertically sliding window pane, indicated at 32, the lower part of the door structure being formed with vertically disposed channels, 38, in the inner ed e face of the side members, 6, 7, forming guides into and from which the window pane, 32, may be lowered or raised, as occasion may require, through the manipulation in the ordinary way of the mechanism, indicated at 26.

The configuration constituted by the depressions 23, 24 and 25 of the lock plate 22 constitute, with their securing apertures, indicated by small circles, mountings for the latch operating handle, the latch or lock and the window regulating mechanism. The lock end of the plate adjacent the jamb-rail of the door is widened as indicated not only to provide increased space for the accommodation of the device at that end of the plate but to increase its strength and its bracing action. To further increase this strength the lock plate is flanged at top and bottom, the top flange to constitute the window sill as shown in Fig. 2. Still further, co-extensive with the mounting of the window regulating mechanism, there is provided a reinforcing depression or beading 34 which extends beyond the region of the window regulating mechanism ateach end and effectually stitlens the plate throughout the region occupied by the mounting 24 of the regulating mecha msm.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I provide an exceedingl simple and light, though stron and durable, door structure. It will also be seen that by employing stampings or pressings of sheet metal for the various parts I am enabled to secure absolute accuracy in assembling the parts into the completed door structure, and such assembly can be effected expeditiously, thereby greatly economizing in the cost of construction of the completed door.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, and a structure illustrating the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an automobile door structure, vertically disposed side frame members having oppositely presenting vertically disposed shoulders or seatings on their opposed edges, in combination with a reinforcing and bracing plate or stamping extendingtransversely between said frame members and seated at itsrespective ends a ainst the said shoulders.

2. In an automobile door structure, vertically disposed side frame members having oppositely presenting vertically disposed shoulders or seatings on their opposed edges, in combination with a reinforcing and bracing plate or stamping extending transversely between said frame members and seated at its respective ends against the said shoulders, said reinforcing plate havingmeans for the reception of window operating and door latch mechanisms.

3. In an automobile door structure, vertically disposed side frame members having oppositely presenting shoulders or seatings' on their opposed edges, in combination with a reinforcing and bracing plate or stamping extending transversely between said frame members and seated at its respective ends against the said shoulders, said reinforcing plate having seats or depressions formed therein, one of said depressions adapted to accommodate a latch bolt operating handle lever. I

4. In an automobile door structure, vertically disposed side frame members having oppositely presenting shoulders in their opposededges, in combination with a reinforcing and bracing plate extending transversely between said frame members and seated at its respectiveends against said shoulders, saidbracing plate being'pr'ovided with an I opening therein, and a, member covering said opening and secured to said bracing plate for supporting a window regulating mechanism.

5. In an automobile door structure, vertically disposed stampings or pressingsforming side portions of a door frame, said pressings formed atone vertical edge into channel shape and terminating in lateral flanges disposed in approximately the same vertical plane to form seating shoulders, in combination with a transversely extending bracing plate having inturned flanges respectively seated against the shoulders of the side members of the door frame.

6. A look plate for closed bod vehicle doors comprising a sheet metal bo' y having a flanged end adapted to be seated against the inner face of the door jamb-rail, and a flapged side adapted to constitute a window sil 7. In an automobile door structure, a pair of vertically disposed side frame members of substantially channel formation presenting outwardly of the body of the door, and. a stam ing interconnecting said side frame mem ers, said stamping having the side ends thereof joined to the inner side walls of said side frame channels. 8. In an automobile door structure, a pair of vertically disposed side rails of substantially channel formation presenting in a direction normal to the plane of the door, a stamping extending transversely between said side rails, and inwardly turned flanges formed integrally at the side edges of said stamping, said flanges being integrally joined to the inner side walls of said channels.

9. In an automobile door structure, a pair of vertically disposed side rails of substantially channel formation, and a stamping interconnecting said side rails, said stamp ing being provided with inturned flanges integrally jolned to the inner side walls of said channels such that the main body of said stamping and the bottom walls of said channels lie in substantially the same plane.

10. In an automobile door structure, a pair of vertically disposed side rails of a section terminating in lateral flanges, and a stamping extending transversely between said side rails, said stamping being provided with inturned flanges 1n abutting relationship with said lateral flanges.

11. In an automobile door, a frame, and a member secured to said frame adapted to both interbrace said frame and support the lock and window control mechanisms for said door, said member having a depressed portion for receiving the operating handle of said lock.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH LEDWINKA. 

